Neighborhood Nine in Cambridge in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Washington Elm
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
1. Washington Elm Marker
Under this tree Washington first took command of the American Army, July 3d 1775.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 3, 1775.
Location. 42° 22.583′ N, 71° 7.29′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Neighborhood Nine. It is on Garden Street west of Appian Way, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on the Cambridge Common. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Garden St, Cambridge MA 02138, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gen. Casimir Pulaski (a few steps from this marker); These Cannon Were Abandoned (a few steps from this marker); Washingtons General Orders (a few steps from this marker); Gen. Thaddeus Kosciuszko (a few steps from this marker); Prince Hall Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Old Charlestown Watertown Path (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. Henry Knox Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Cambridge Soldiers and Sailors Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cambridge.
Regarding Washington Elm.
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. - Washington Elm trees grown from the original.
Also see . . . Washington Elm - Wikipedia page. The story of Washington taking command here is a myth. George Washington was not in Cambridge on July 3, 1775. (Submitted on October 29, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
2. Marker on the Cambridge Common
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
3. Washington Marker in Cambridge
Internet Archive
4. The Washington Elm
Under this tree Washington first took command of the American Army, July 3d, 1775.
from American History Stories, by Mara Louise Pratt Chadwick, 1889, Vol. II, page 70.
from American History Stories, by Mara Louise Pratt Chadwick, 1889, Vol. II, page 70.
Photographed by R.J. OHara, June 16, 2025
5. Washington Elm Marker
Photographed on the 250th anniversary of the overnight march from Cambridge to Bunker Hill, 1617 June 1775.
Photographed by R.J. OHara, June 16, 2025
6. Washington Elm Marker
Photographed on the 250th anniversary of the overnight march from Cambridge to Bunker Hill, 1617 June 1775.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,794 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on June 29, 2025, by R.J. OHara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 16, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on January 2, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on June 28, 2025, by R.J. OHara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
